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Flowers in Louisiana

By Casey Kennedy; Updated September 21, 2017

Although the weather for Louisiana's spring and fall is considered quite mild, its summers are referred to as humid and subtropical. If you are just getting started on your landscaping or simply want some new ideas for the yard, you may think that finding flowers that will grow in this type of heat isn’t easy to do. Fortunately, there are flowers in Louisiana that not only do well with the state’s warmer temperatures, they even appear to prefer it.

Marsh Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

Also known as the Gayfeather, this showy perennial grows from 1 to 3 feet tall and has lance-shaped green leaves that resemble grass. In midsummer through fall, flowers appear on the Blazing Star’s upward-growing spikes in shades of bright purple, hot pink and white. These unusual looking blooms somewhat resemble an upright feather duster and are quite fragrant. This hardy plant prefers part sun to full sun and does well even in poor soil and drought conditions. The Blazing Star is often used as a cut flower, since its unusual appearance adds a vivid burst of color and style to floral arrangements.

Swamp Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

The Swamp Mallow is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 7 feet tall and, as its name suggests, is often found in swamps and marshlands. It produces large 6-inch flowers that bloom from late spring through late summer in shades of red, white or pink. Its lance-shaped leaves are 3 to 9 inches long. Although the Swamp Mallow prefers moist soil, it actually does best when planted in full sun. This plant does well when transplanted into a container; however, it requires a good deal of watering and regular fertilizing to keep it happy.

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

The Wild Bergamot is a popular perennial herb and has several different names (such as horsemint and beebalm). It grows 2 to 5 feet tall and blooms in midsummer to early fall with pink, purple or white flowers that resemble pompoms or colorful powder puffs. Enjoyed by hummingbirds and butterflies, the leaves of the Wild Bergamot can be used for making tea; their oil was once commonly used to treat respiratory problems. It is a hardy plant, but needs soil that drains well and good air circulation or it can become susceptible to developing powdery mildew.

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About the Author

Based in Atlanta, Casey Kennedy has been writing online content since 2009. She specializes in writing about small business, careers, real estate, and ecommerce. She also enjoys writing about a variety of other subjects, including home improvement, gardening, and pet care. She attended the Academy of Art online, studying interior architecture and design while pursuing commercial flight training at Aviation Atlanta in Georgia.